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Selecti on Rev i ew #1
Wa r r io r s Don ’t Cr y ?
I nt ro d u c t ion an d Ch ap ter s 1 - 4
1. How did the writer make sure that the account found in Warriors Don’t Cry would be accurate, even though she wrote it many years later? The writer based her account on many
sources written at the time the events were occurring. For example, she used her own personal
diary and the notes that her mother took at that time. Her mother had also collected a number
of newspaper articles about the school’s integration. Because she relied on these sources, the
writer is confident that her story is an accurate one.
2. List some of the problems Melba faced as a child because of racism. What were two situations in which she narrowly escaped tragedy? As a child, Melba learned that African Americans
had to use the worst fountains and rest rooms. She could not ride the merry-go-round at the
park. Her parents were forced to back down, embarrassed, when a white grocer overcharged
them. As a baby, Melba almost died because a white nurse did not want to give her the proper
care that the doctor had ordered. Later, when she was twelve, she was almost raped by a
white man who was angry about the Supreme Court decision on the integration of schools.
3. What did Melba find amazing about Cincinnati, Ohio? Why did she have to return to Little
Rock, and how did her life change at that point? Melba found Cincinnati amazing because
there was no segregation. She and her mother could go shopping downtown without stepping
aside to let white people pass. They were invited to dinner at the home of her uncle’s white
neighbor. They could go to a movie with white people or eat dinner in a restaurant served by
white waiters. Melba wanted to stay in Cincinnati to finish high school. However, she had to
return to Little Rock because she had been chosen to attend Central High School, an all-white
school. When Melba arrived in Little Rock, her life and her family’s life were taken up with
meetings and preparation for the integration.
4. Melba decided to participate in the integration even though she was afraid for herself and
her family. Why? What qualities did she have in common with the other eight students
taking part? Melba was afraid for herself and her family because they received many threatening phone calls. She decided to participate in the integration anyway because she believed
this could be the first step toward ending segregation in Little Rock. She hoped the white students would change their attitudes when they got to know African Americans as classmates.
Like the other eight students chosen for the integration, Melba was a serious student. She
attended church regularly and was respectful and well mannered. Like the others, she was an
independent-minded, proud person who planned to attend college.
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5. Describe Melba’s frightening experience the first day she was supposed to attend Central
High. How did her grandmother deal with Melba’s fears and thoughts of quitting? The first
day Melba was to attend Central High School, she and her mother could not get near the school
because of the crowd. They watched soldiers and crowd members bullying Melba’s friend
Elizabeth. Then they realized that they were also in danger. They just reached their car in time
to escape a mob of angry white men. In spite of this, Melba’s grandmother would not let her
quit and go back to the black high school. She said that if Melba gave up, the segregationists
would believe they were free to treat African Americans unfairly. Grandma told Melba that she
was a soldier on God’s battlefield. She said that Melba must learn not to cry despite her pain
and fear.
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Selectio n Rev iew #2
Wa r r io r s D on ’t Cr y
C ha p te r s 5 - 8
1. Describe some ways that African Americans, and a few white people, showed support for
Melba and the other eight students. Community members showed support in many ways.
African-American churches encouraged the students and prayed for them. NAACP leaders and
lawyers advised them about the legal hearings. Teachers of both races lent them books and
tutored them so they would not fall behind in their schoolwork. A white man paid for an ad in
the paper. This ad said all citizens of Arkansas should be ashamed of the hatred and bigotry
that had been shown to the students.
2. In what ways did the journalists’ behavior encourage and inspire Melba? Melba was surprised that the white journalists called her “Miss” and treated her respectfully. She saw that
black and white reporters treated each other as friends. She saw that the integration would
not be taking place if the reporters had not been so brave and determined to tell the world
what was happening. Melba felt even more convinced that integration was right. She thought
she might like to be a journalist herself one day.
3. List some reasons for Melba’s feelings of surprise at the federal court hearing. What was
decided in the hearing? Melba was surprised that the courtroom was so small. Also, up close
the national guardsmen seemed so ordinary. Melba was very surprised that Governor Faubus
did not attend the hearing. Even the governor’s lawyers walked out almost as soon as the
hearing began. Judge Davies decided that the integration would continue. He said that Governor Faubus had no right to stop it.
4. What did the Central High School building make Melba think of? Why? Why was this ironic?
Central High School reminded Melba of a museum or a beautiful castle. It was very big and
had beautiful stone walls, marble floors, and spiral staircases. This was ironic because Melba
soon discovered that Central High School would instead be a place of danger and fear for her.
5. List some of the good and bad things that happened to Melba on her first day at Central
High School. How did she describe her day in her article for the Associated Press? Melba’s
first day at Central High School was like a nightmare. People called her names. A woman spit
in her face. Students tormented her in class. A group of women even came over the fence to
attack her on the playing field. She lost her way. Worst of all, she heard policemen saying they
might let the crowd hang one of the students in order to save the others. However, a few people
showed kindness to the students. Mrs. Huckaby, the girls’ vice principal, tried to treat them
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fairly. Melba’s gym teacher and her shorthand teacher, Mrs. Pickwick, showed concern for her.
The Assistant Police Chief and the police drivers risked their lives to make sure all the students
arrived home safely. In her article, however, Melba told only part of the truth. She was afraid
that if she told how terrible it really was, the integration would be stopped.
6. Explain why President Eisenhower sent the Airborne Division soldiers to Central High School.
What difference did the soldiers make on Melba’s second day of school? The soldiers were
sent to Central High School to protect the nine students and keep the peace. They guarded the
students and took them to school. Then a soldier walked through the halls with each student
during the day. Melba felt safer on her second day because of the soldiers, especially her
“bodyguard,” Danny. Still, there were many places where Danny was not allowed to go with her.
These places included the classrooms, cafeteria, study hall, and of course the girls’ rest rooms
and locker room.
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Selectio n Rev iew #3
Wa r r io r s D on ’t Cr y
C ha p te r s 9 - 14
1. Explain what Danny could and could not do to help Melba. What was his goal? What did
he teach Melba about taking care of herself? Danny followed Melba around the halls. He
stepped in if she was in serious danger. He could not argue or fight with students. He could
not enter the classrooms, cafeteria, or auditorium. His main goal was to keep her alive. He put
out a lit stick of dynamite, and rinsed Melba’s eyes when she was attacked with chemicals. He
taught her to stay alert and look confident. She learned to ignore minor problems and watch
out for serious dangers. She learned to fight back if necessary. She developed the attitude of
a soldier in battle.
2. List some of the ways people tried to lower tensions at Central High School. Explain why
these attempts did not succeed. In one attempt to calm things down, the 101st Airborne
Division was taken out of Central High after just a week. The Arkansas National Guardsmen
were left in the halls instead. However, the Guardsmen watched the students being abused
and did not protect them. A meeting was held between African-American students and segregationist student leaders. It did not work because the segregationists misunderstood the
African Americans’ position. Another meeting took place between school officials, AfricanAmerican students, and their parents. It did not succeed because the officials would not
accept their responsibility to protect the students.
3. How were Minnijean Brown’s ideas about Central High School different from those of the
other eight students? How did her experience at Central High end? When they realized the
dangers they faced at Central High School, the other eight students decided not to call attention
to themselves. They just wanted to survive the school year. Minnijean believed that white
students would accept her if they could hear her sing. Sadly, the school authorities did not
allow her to peform in the Christmas concert. Minnijean became very tense. In December two
boys blocked her way and harassed her in the cafeteria. She spilled hot chili over them and was
suspended. After another incident occurred in February, Minnijean was expelled from Central
High School. The NAACP found a scholarship for her to attend a private high school in New York.
4. How did integration spoil Melba’s plans for her sixteenth birthday and her Christmas vacation? Melba planned a birthday party with old friends. Except for her boyfriend Vince, the friends
did not attend because they were afraid to come to her house. They felt that Melba no longer
“fit in” with them. Melba’s time with Vince was awkward. He went to another party that night,
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but she had to stay home because her mother and grandmother were afraid for her to be out
late. Minnijean’s suspension spoiled Melba’s hopes for a restful Christmas vacation. The eight
other students spent their time attending meetings and worrying about Minnijean.
5. After Christmas vacation, the segregationists’ attacks became even more violent. How did
this affect Melba? How did Grandma India help her conquer her despair? Melba became
very discouraged as the attacks became more violent. She wrote in her diary that she wished
she were dead. Grandma India told Melba that if she gave up it would please her attackers.
She spent more time with Melba and reminded her of her family’s love. She suggested Melba
begin a personal project studying space travel. She told Melba to thank her tormentors when
they did something mean to her. This would frustrate them.
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Selectio n Rev iew #4
Wa r r io r s D on ’t Cr y
C ha p te r 15 - 18 an d E p i l og u e
1. How did Link try to help Melba? Why did she feel suspicious toward him? Why did she
decide to trust him in spite of her fears? Link tried to help Melba secretly, without letting
his friends know. He attended segregationists’ meetings and learned their plans. Then he
telephoned Melba to tell her how to avoid dangerous situations. Once Link joined a group of
boys who were tormenting Melba. He pretended to go along with them but suggested they wait
until later to “get” her. Melba was suspicious of Link for several reasons. Her mother and
grandmother warned that Link might make her trust him, then draw her into a trap. Also, when
he was with the troublemakers she heard him use racist words just as they did. Melba finally
decided to trust Link because he provided her with useful information. No one else could help
her in this way.
2. Link’s family and friends were all segregationists. What reasons did he give for to trying
to help Melba? When Melba went with him to visit Nana Healey, what did she understand
about his real motives? Link said that he was trying to help Melba so that nothing terrible
would happen to spoil his senior year. He wanted people to stop thinking that Central High was
such a terrible place. However, when Melba went with Link to visit Nana Healey, she saw how
much he cared for her. Nana Healey had worked for Link’s parents for many years. Link was
angry and bitter that they had failed to provide for her. Melba saw that Link was upset about
white people treating African-Americans unfairly. She understood that his friendship toward
her was also sincere.
3. Why did the Little Rock school board take Mother’s teaching job away? How did she finally
persuade them to renew the contract? The school board refused to renew Mother’s contract
unless she took Melba out of Central High School. Mother begged them to change their minds.
This did not work, so she persuaded a white newspaper to publish the story. Calls and letters
poured in criticizing the school board’s action. However, the problem was not solved. It was
solved only after an African-American church leader gave Mother a message for the school
administrator. The message was that Bishop Sherman wanted Mother to have her job back.
The contract was renewed.
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4. Why was Melba disappointed at the graduation arrangements? Why did Link insist on
meeting with her the next day? Melba was disappointed that she and the other AfricanAmerican students were not allowed to attend graduation. The authorities said that they had
to focus on protecting Ernie and his family. Link insisted on seeing Melba because he was
very upset. Nana Healey had passed away on graduation day. Link tried to persuade Melba
to come with him when he went north to attend college. Melba agreed to “think about it,” but
she knew that she would not go with him.
5. Why did Melba finally go to California to finish high school? Describe some of the emotions
she experienced when she returned to Central High School thirty years later. In order to
stop the integration, Governor Faubus closed all Little Rock high schools for a full year. The
following year, the NAACP arranged for Melba to live with a family in California so she could
finish high school. When Melba returned to Central for the thirty-year reunion, she was thrilled
to meet her friends. She had not seen some of them in many years. She felt she was rediscovering a part of herself she had lost. However, she also felt the pain of her fear and suffering
at Central. She was pleased to notice that the president of the student body was an African
American.
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Name:
L itera tu r e Te st # 1
Wa r r io r s Don ’t Cr y
I nt ro d u c t ion an d Ch ap ter s 1 - 4
1. Describe the sources the writer used to make sure the story told in Warriors Don’t Cry would
be accurate.
2. Describe two painful experiences Melba had as a child because of racism.
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3. What did Melba hope to accomplish by participating in the integration of Central High
School? Why was this a difficult and courageous decision on her part?
4. After Melba’s frightening first attempt to go to Central High School, she felt like giving up on
integration. How did her grandmother respond to Melba’s fear and discouragement? Why?
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Name:
L itera tu r e Te st # 2
Wa r r io r s Don ’t Cr y
C h a p te r s 5 - 8
1. List three things that encouraged Melba as she waited for the court hearing to allow her to
go back to Central High School.
2. Describe the outcome of the federal court hearing. Tell why it was important.
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3. How had Melba imagined Central High School in her dreams? What was it really like for her?
4. Why did the 101st Airborne Division come to Little Rock? How did Melba’s experience at school
change after the soldiers arrived?
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Name:
L itera tu r e Te st # 3
Wa r r io r s Don ’t Cr y
C h a p te r s 9 - 14
1. Why did the African-American students want the 101st Airborne Division soldiers to guard them
rather than the Arkansas National Guardsmen? At the meeting the school officials held with
the students and their parents, how was the school officials’ attitude similar to that of the
National Guardsmen?
2. Describe the circumstances that led to Minnijean being suspended, then expelled, from Central
High School.
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3. Explain how the integration situation “spoiled” Melba’s sixteenth birthday, as well as her
Christmas vacation.
4. Why did Melba write in her diary that she wished she were dead? List at least two ways that
Grandma India helped her change her mind.
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Name:
L itera tu r e Te st # 4
Wa r r io r s Don ’t Cr y
C h a p te r s 15 - 18 an d E p i l og u e
1. Explain how Link helped Melba. List three reasons why Link helped her this way.
2. How did the school board try to force Melba’s mother to take her out of Central High School?
How was this problem solved?
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3. Why did Melba agree to see Link the day after graduation? Tell what happened at their meeting.
4. Explain why Melba was both glad and sad when she went back to Central High School for the
thirty-year reunion.
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Name:
Vocabu la r y Tes t # 1
Wa r r io r s Don ’t Cr y
I nt ro d u c t ion an d Ch ap ter s 1 - 4
WRITE MEANINGFUL SENTENCES FOR THE FOLLOWING WORDS:
cherished
significant
federal
apprehension
hazardous
futile
vulnerable
emphatic
anticipation
individualists
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Name:
Vocab u la r y Tes t # 2
Wa r r io r s Don ’t Cr y
C h a p ter s 5 - 8
WRITE MEANINGFUL SENTENCES FOR THE FOLLOWING WORDS:
aggression
precedent
contempt
initiated
preliminary
jeopardize
dilemma
treacherous
confronted
compassion
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Name:
Vocabu la r y Tes t # 3
Wa r r io r s Don ’t Cr y
C h a p te r s 9 - 14
WRITE MEANINGFUL SENTENCES FOR THE FOLLOWING WORDS:
deteriorated
exclude
incite
mobile
adamant
turmoil
obsessed
console
contends
intervening
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Name:
Vocab u la r y Tes t # 4
Wa r r io r s Don ’t Cr y
C h a p ter s 15 - 18 an d E p i l ogue
WRITE MEANINGFUL SENTENCES FOR THE FOLLOWING WORDS:
bizarre
rational
tenacious
vital
immaculate
prestigious
complexity
speculate
impeccably
accolades
Talent Development Secondary Program